You probably know what V-E Day and V-J Day are—they commemorate victory in Europe and victory in Japan at the end of World War II. But it is simply V-Day that may prove to be more important in the long run.
V-Day represents a global movement to end violence against women and girls. It works on a grassroots level to raise consciousness, change laws, fund rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters, and educate people in more than 140 countries from A (America) to Z (Zambia).
You can help. Plan ahead. February 14, 2013, is not just Valentine’s Day. It is the 15th anniversary of the V-Day movement. Organizers are asking one billion women and girls—and those who love them–to participate in One Billion Rising.
Check out their site and this video to learn more and become involved.
The theme for February 14 is “Strike, dance, rise in your community, and demand an end to violence.” In our January 21, 2013, post, we provided some facts and figures regarding violence against women. There’s lots more to learn and lots to do.
Also available in our January 21 post was a link to a video featuring the anthem,“Break the chain,” of the One Billion Rising movement. If you would like to learn the Break the Chain dance, you can do so. Invite some friends over, clear away the furniture, and click on “Learn the steps to break the chain.” It will get your endorphins going and it will be a great way to participate in the Season of Nonviolence.
Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology
Oh, how I would love to learn the steps to the Break the Chain dance. Years ago my husband and I took lessons from Arthur Murray (husband under duress) and rocked around the clock with our contemporaries. Now almost all of them are gone except for me, and I’d have to modify the steps to accommodate my walker.
The hard truth is I can’t dance anymore, but nothing can keep me from participating in this glorious season of Non-Violence.
“husband under duress”…that is very funny! Maybe your body won’t let you dance anymore, but they’ll have to clear the floor for your passionate heart.
Great post! For anyone reading this in the central Mass area, there is a One Billion Rising dance party/fundraiser at Ralph’s Rock Diner (148 Grove Street in Worcester) on February 14th. More information is available at the Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/405959932818201/?fref=ts
Thank you so much for the information, Maggie. And if anyone else has information on other such events, please send in that info either as a reply to Maggie or as another comment on the Whatis V-Day post.
What an incredibly powerful video. Everyone needs to share this with their friends and loved ones. Physical and sexual violence is still rampant around the world. It’s 2013- let us never stop working toward a peaceful solution.
Thank you for your comment, David. I definitely appreciate learning that you watched the video and have a good understanding of the rampant episodes of physical and sexual violence across the globe (tho not equally in every society and nation). Remember that the United States has proportionately higher levels of wife and child abuse than most other western “developed” countries. Do please send the link to the video to family and friends–better yet please forward them the link to my post about V-day.
thanks
kathie mm